Ceri Austin 
No matter your level of investing experience, understanding the stock market is essential for success. It allows you to decide what investments to make and how best to manage your portfolio.
The value of a stock is determined by several factors, including investor demand and economic conditions. These influences affect prices in different ways, as do government actions.
Basics
The stock market is an extensive network of economic transactions between buyers and sellers that allows companies to raise capital through the sale of shares. It also serves as a source of investment capital for individual investors.
Investors purchase or sell stocks on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. These markets are regulated and their activities monitored by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Brokers facilitate stock trading by acting as an intermediary between you and the exchanges. You instruct your broker which stock you wish to purchase or sell and how many shares.
The broker then relays your order to the exchange, where a market maker will purchase your shares at the current market value and sell them back to you at that same rate. This transaction occurs in real time, providing an insight into stock prices as they fluctuate, enabling informed decisions about investments.
Types of stocks
Investing in stocks can be a lucrative way to build your wealth. They are an increasingly popular type of investment due to their generally higher returns compared to other investment vehicles such as bonds or cash.
When investing in stocks, it’s essential to comprehend the different types of securities. Doing so will enable you to select those which best meet your investment objectives and risk tolerance.
Common stock is the most widely-used type of stock and it grants you ownership in a company with voting rights as well as access to dividends (profits) generated by that firm.
Income stocks pay dividends consistently and investors purchase them for the income they generate. Income stocks may be an ideal option for someone with limited resources since they tend to have lower volatility and less potential for major losses.
Value stocks are those which trade at a low price-to-earnings ratio, or with a smaller market cap than their earnings suggest. These stocks can be an advantageous option for investors seeking to diversify their portfolio and benefit from economic recovery.
Types of investors
On a financial market, there are various types of investors. These can be classified according to criteria such as category, objective, investment horizon, risk aversion or way of operating.
Investment style is an integral factor in an investor’s success. It depends on factors like objective, financial backup, age factor, employment status, lifestyle and mindset.
Research in behavioral economics has revealed that some investors make trades based on their emotions. This may not be the best strategy in volatile markets as emotions often lead to ill-timed purchases or losses.
There are various investing styles, such as growth, value or index. These can help an investor avoid emotional decisions and achieve better results.
Trading
Trading involves buying and selling investments such as stocks, bonds, and commodities with the aim of making a profit. It can be active (buying/selling on a monthly, weekly, daily or hourly basis) or passive (holding your investments for the long run).
Most investors utilize a combination of low-cost index funds to achieve long-term outperformance. These may include stocks, bonds, commodities or currencies.
Traders also utilize fundamental analysis and technical analysis to assess a company’s performance. These methods enable them to identify stocks with potential increases in value or sell off those expected to decrease in value.
For successful stock market strategies, investors need to combine research with discipline. Ideally, investors should purchase a mix of quality companies that are growing or have an exciting future.
